While Alexander Skarsgård might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of Hollywood action stars (though perhaps he is after The Northman), if you're looking for something full of adventure and excitement, then look to Tubi for one of his most underrated blockbusters. It's been a decade since The Legend of Tarzan hit theaters, but the film is currently making waves on the free-to-stream platform — and it's about time it's recognized for its contribution to the character's 100+ year history.
'The Legend of Tarzan' Is the Furthest Thing From the Sanitized Disney Movie
A decade ago, riding high off his success with the last few Harry Potter films, director David Yates attempted a bold re-imagining of one of modern literature's most famous adventure heroes. The Legend of Tarzan picks up with the former "King of the Apes" years after he has left the African jungle and returned to high British society. But when Tarzan, now known by his real name of John Clayton III, returns to the Congo, he does so seeking to discover the horrors of the slave trade propagated by Captain Léon Rom (Christoph Waltz) — a real historical figure re-imagined for this 19th-century tale. Things go haywire when John's wife, Jane (Margot Robbie), is kidnapped, and he must once more return to his jungle roots to stop the madman from his sinister activities. You can only imagine the sorts of jungle-fueled action spectacles that ensue, from tribal battles to deep-forest hunts to armies of apes and mercenaries going to war. It's the sort of adventure epic that would make Edgar Rice Burroughs — the same man who also penned the John Carter novels — proud.
The Legend of Tarzan was largely panned during its initial release, but there's a fun action movie buried in there. Skarsgård plays the adventurer with a sober restraint, not going full Tarzan until the moment the plot demands it, and offering a more complex and conflicted portrayal of the hero torn between two distinct (and different) worlds. For those only familiar with the Disney version, this Tarzan pulls more from Burroughs' pulpy adventure novels than it does the House of Mouse, using the character's cultural popularity to tell an enjoyable adventure tale that’s unlike what Hollywood makes these days. We cannot stress enough how different The Legend of Tarzan is in every respect from Disney's Tarzan — which is still great on its own, but perhaps not as reverent toward the source material as this live-action take. Not only is the 2016 blockbuster an earnest re-imagining of Burroughs' material, but it reminds us that there is so much more psychological depth to Tarzan and his multifaceted world than just the typical chest-beating and swinging through the trees. It's no wonder that Tubi audiences have pushed The Legend of Tarzan into its high-trending collection.
With an Excellent Cast and Stunning Visuals, 'The Legend of Tarzan' Is an Enjoyable Movie Night Blockbuster
Aside from Skarsgård, Robbie, and Waltz, The Legend of Tarzan boasts a fine cast that also includes Samuel L. Jackson as historical figure George Washington Williams, a veteran of the American Civil War and Indian Wars who aids the titular hero in his African quest, and Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga, the leader of the fictional city of Opar. With these stars, Yates was able to craft a feature that echoes the pulp adventures of old, with brilliant visuals and excellent battle sequences that will stun audiences years later. Whether you're familiar with Burroughs' original novels or a newcomer who has only ever experienced the Disney take on the cultural icon, The Legend of Tarzan leaves no one behind as it meditates on the circumstances that made John Clayton into Tarzan as he learns to embrace all sides of him.
Although it has been forgotten by most after a decade of franchise-focused blockbusters and poor remakes and sequels, The Legend of Tarzan deserves more respect than critics gave it at the time. It may not be a perfect Tarzan adaptation, but it's a lot closer to the source than most — and it's no wonder it continues to find streaming success all these years later. It's also just loads of fun for anyone looking for an adventure film a little bit outside the usual action box.
The Legend of Tarzan is available for streaming for free on Tubi.
Facts Only
*The Legend of Tarzan* is available for streaming on Tubi.
Alexander Skarsgård plays John Clayton III, who seeks to discover the horrors of the slave trade propagated by Captain Léon Rom (Christoph Waltz).
John's wife, Jane (Margot Robbie), is kidnapped, requiring John to return to the jungle to stop the madman's activities.
The film features action sequences including tribal battles and deep-forest hunts.
The cast includes Samuel L. Jackson as George Washington Williams and Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga.
The film reinterprets events from Tarzan's time after leaving the African jungle.
The film is noted for featuring visuals and battle sequences.
Executive Summary
The film *The Legend of Tarzan* is available for streaming on Tubi and is being highlighted as an underrated blockbuster. The movie reimagines the story of Tarzan, following his time after leaving the African jungle and returning to British society. In this retelling, Tarzan seeks to discover the horrors of the slave trade orchestrated by Captain Léon Rom, a historical figure. The narrative involves Tarzan's wife, Jane, being kidnapped, forcing him back into the jungle to stop sinister activities. The film features Alexander Skarsgård as the adventurer, portraying him with restraint until the plot demands it, exploring a conflict between two worlds.
The production features a cast including Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, and Christoph Waltz, alongside Samuel L. Jackson as George Washington Williams and Djimon Hounsou as Chief Mbonga. The film is noted for its action sequences and visuals, which include tribal battles, deep-forest hunts, and conflicts involving apes and mercenaries. The text suggests the film offers a more complex and psychologically deeper portrayal of Tarzan than the Disney version by drawing from Edgar Rice Burroughs' source material.
Full Take
The narrative presents a tension between commercial expectations of franchise installments and a deeper engagement with source material. The piece argues that by leaning into the pulp adventure literature of Edgar Rice Burroughs, the film achieves greater psychological depth regarding the character's multifaceted identity rather than relying on simplistic tropes. This suggests an underlying pattern where adaptations often prioritize established brand recognition over source fidelity, yet this specific adaptation is positioned as an earnest re-imagining that rewards deeper engagement. The promotion leverages nostalgia for classic adventure themes while positioning the work as superior to mainstream cinematic depictions by emphasizing complexity and historical context. A key implication is the value placed on exploring internal conflict within heroic figures rather than external spectacle alone. The pattern here is using perceived genre markers (pulp adventure) to suggest higher intellectual merit, which functions to build an audience that values textual depth over surface-level entertainment.
Bridge Questions: What are the specific narrative choices made by director David Yates that most effectively demonstrate this "psychological depth" compared to other adaptations? How does the recognition of Tarzan's 100+ year history change the ethical considerations for reimagining historical or mythological figures in modern media? Does the success of this work rely more on its fidelity to Burroughs or its successful execution of a modern thematic exploration?
Sentinel — Human
This text reads like a piece of subjective film journalism offering an evaluative opinion on the adaptation, demonstrating a human voice focused on narrative critique rather than pure factual reporting.